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MY MOST REFRESHING SHOWER

Just got back from an overnight retreat of the Praise and Worship Group of Emmanuel Catholic Charismatic Community of Greenbelt, Makati at OCDS (Order of Carmelites Discalced Secular) House of Prayer at #4 5th St., New Manila, Quezon City. It is located at the back of Mt. Carmel Church near Broadway Centrum in Aurora Blvd.

Our retreat master asked us to draw a picture of ourselves using our less dominant hand before going to bed. Oh no! Since I am left-handed, I was forced to draw using my right hand. The problem is, I am very poor in art work. I’d rather give an hour-long talk than make a drawing of myself! To my surprise, I was able to draw. Hahaha! I can draw after all! The question is, what does it look like? Well, in fairness, it looks like a sexy girl with short hair. Hehehe. The retreat master also asked us to put dots on the parts of our body where we usually feel pain of some sort.

Since we are close to 40 and we didn’t have so much time, the retreat master wasn’t able to interpret our drawings. He just gave us a general guide for interpreting our own illustrations placing more emphasis on the “pain points”. I was fortunate enough to have my drawing interpreted. According to the priest, my back pains (due to scoliosis and dysmenorrhea) tell about issues in the past. (Yes, there are issues in the past!) The pain on my neck (when the weather is hot) and throat (due to tonsillitis at times) tell something about issues that I kept to myself rather than confronting them; times when I preferred to remain silent rather than talk about it. “Issues of the heart and mind manifest as neck pain and other throat problems” according to the priest. Pain on my head (tension headache according to my doctor) tells about problems and concerns (especially individual concerns of family members and other loved ones) that I must not worry so much about. What will I do? I can’t help it. When people close to your heart have some problems, you tend to be bothered also, right?

Wow, that certainly is a revelation! Everything the retreat master said about me is right… as if he knows me! I guess I know now how to get rid of those body pains. Related to the drawing is another exercise that sure helped me feel better and lighter--the “empty chair therapy and shower time”! We were asked to remember those people who have hurt us, people who brought pain in our heart, people who have angered us. Then we had to imagine them (one by one) seated before us; we talk to them and forgive them to set ourselves free from hatred, resentments and hardened hearts. Forgiveness is also for ourselves, that we may be free from negative emotions that may have imprisoned us and caused pain/sickness in our body for a very long time. After the empty chair exercise, we must take a shower, enjoying every minute of it, talking and apologizing to the parts of our body which usually are in pain, telling our body, “From now on I will be good to you. I will take good care of you.”
It was the most refreshing shower I ever had!

The RE-CREATION retreat is a liberating and refreshing experience! I recommend it to hurting people who are too busy to “love themselves”. Have a break. Take a “refreshing shower”. By the way, we were served good food, too!

ARE YOU ON THE RIGHT TRACK?

Ever wondered whether you are in the right career (or college course)? Have you ever asked yourself, “Is this the right job (or maybe ministry or business) for me?”

According to the book, The Purpose Driven Life, “you will be most effective when you use your spiritual gifts and abilities in the area of your heart’s desire, and in a way that best expresses your personality and experiences.” Listening for inner promptings can point to the career (or ministry or business) God intends for you to have.

Author Rick Warren said, “To discover God’s will for your life, you should seriously examine what you are good at doing and what you’re not good at.” Come to think of it: Do you think God will ask you to dedicate your life to a task you have no talent for? I believe that the abilities I have are strong indications; they are clues to knowing God’s will for my life. Thus, when we work (or minister or do business) in a manner consistent with our personality, we experience fulfillment, satisfaction and fruitfulness.

Why don’t you try making a list of what you’re good at and what you’re not good at? You can ask the people who know you best, your close friends and family members, for their candid opinion. Spiritual gifts and natural abilities are always confirmed by others.

Do you have a gift of teaching? Then why don’t you bless the world by becoming a good teacher or speaker? Do you love to write? Then be a blessing by reaching out to others through your writings. We can earn money from our gifts.

God is good! He showered us with gifts and abilities not just to earn money but to bless the world as well. Considering fulfillment, satisfaction and fruitfulness, are you on the right track?

Watch out for Your Chic Girl

Today, as the typhoon in the Philippines progresses, past storms in my life come to mind. After having a special encounter with the Lord through my regular 3PM prayer, I just thought of (probably was inspired) creating a blog... perhaps to share my thoughts, insights, learnings, even my heart and my dreams to the world.

Finds joy and takes pride in serving the Lord through the Spiritual Formation (Teaching) Ministry and Worship Ministry yet enjoys "crazy" moments with family and friends, bloggers, watch out for... Your Chic Girl!